Rodrygo likely to replace Luis Diaz at Liverpool | OneFootball

Real Madrid winger Rodrygo (24) is likely to replace Luis Diaz (28) if the Colombian international were to leave Liverpool, according to a report this Sunday from L’Equipe. In a feature regarding Hugo Ekitiké’s (23) upcoming transfer from Eintracht Frankfurt to the Premier League champions, the outlet has assessed the remarkable firepower at Arne Slot’s disposal, in the wake of Diogo Jota’s tragic passing earlier this July.

The Dutch head coach is reportedly convinced that, if Ekitiké continues to improve following his impressive campaign in Germany, the former PSG and Reims player could become one of the best centre-forwards in the world. Slot is aware that Ekitiké still needs to improve his finishing, but the Liverpool head coach is said to greatly value Ekitiké’s selflessness, quality in combination play and his reading of situations.

L’Equipe adds that Ekitké’s heading could be useful, considering it is not one of Liverpool’s fortes. Last year, the Reds scored twelve goals from headers, five of them courtesy of centre-back Virgil van Dijk. As for Ekitiké’s place within Liverpool’s squad, the outlet adds that, even if Darwin Nuñez leaves Merseyside, the competition for a starting spot would be as tense as ever with Cody Gakpo, Mohamed Salah, Florian Wirtz and Federico Chiesa. And if Luis Diaz were to leave, Real Madrid’s Rodrygo would “without a doubt” replace the former Porto winger, the outlet writes.

GFFN | Bastien Cheval